On the eve of action at the French Championships in Montpellier, where Olympic champion Alain Bernard lines up for his first serious test since lifting the Olympic 100m freestyle crown in Beijing, SwimNews launches a new 12-part series: 

In the Arena: How Rivals Square Up.

Today, we begin with the battle between Olympic sprint freestyle kings Cesar Cielo (BRA), 50m champion and 100m bronze medallist in Beijing, and Alain Bernard (FRA), 100m champion and 50m bronze medallist in Beijing.

The format is simple: major contenders for world titles in Rome this summer and the Olympic cycle leading to London 2012 answer questions that focus on how they see themselves, each other, the ready room and how they prepare for the biggest of moments.

Where Cesar is into ritual, Alain is not, where the Brazilian things he has never had a perfect race, the Frenchman thinks he has, and where Cielo would have his toughest rivals round for some roo steaks, croc stew and a restaurant menu for Alain (he eats too much to cater for him at home), Bernard would want his domestic sprint rivals round - so that they could discuss French relay tactics designed to deliver a dream win over the USA.

A note on the format and how we choose swimmers for the series: both swimmers in part one are sponsored by arena, which has advertising rights to the feature but has not influenced the choice of swimmers. SwimNews retains editorial control and is delighted to work with a partner that is happy to read about all swimmers - regardless of contracts - and has supported  the line that no suits should enhance performance and urged FINA to draw a clear line that suit makers must observe.  Future features will be chosen on the basis of those who wish to take part. 

Throughout the series, you can access the feature via the box to the top right of the home page. Enjoy.